It is the biggest such order since Israel resumed its offensive in the Palestinian territory earlier this month.

Gaza Palestinians in southern Gaza's Rafah, the subject of Israeli eviction notices, are grappling with whether to stay or leave, as passage out of the area becomes more dangerous by the hour and food supplies dwindle.

Hamas decided not to respond or engage with Israel's counter-proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, an official told Reuters on Wednesday, affirming it is committed to the mediators' plan instead. Israel said on March 29 it conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the U.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had seized a corridor of land that would split one of Gaza’s largest cities from the rest of the enclave.